on Monday in Hwa Chong, Korea Rowing ACT umpire Geoff Northam qualified for an international rowing umpires licence.

Along with Rowing Victoria umpire Bill Webster, who also achieved his licence, Geoff has been a part of the Australian Sports Commission’s National Officiating Scholarship Program since January 2011. The aim of the program is to develop the next generation of Australian rowing umpires to work on the world stage. It has enabled Geoff and Bill to travel overseas to attend the international federation’s (FISA) international umpiring education course, gain experience working with regatta juries at major events, and finally sit their international exams over the past two days in Korea.

The NOSP program has also equipped them to be presenters, assessors and mentors for developing new local, national and international umpires over the coming years. To be selected for the NOSP scholarship was itself a significant achievement, as only four Rowing Australia umpires have ever had this honour.

Congratulations to Geoff on his achievement.